Avon Lake officials debate Folger Home

AVON LAKE — Just in time for Homecoming weekend, Avon Lake officials are reviewing the status of the Folger Home and anticipate the return of the historic Folger family.
During the city’s recent Public Service Committee meeting, Councilman David Kos reminded the public that the Folger Home, 32770 Lake Road, will be designated a historic landmark at noon Saturday.
“I’m looking forward to attending the landmark dedication ceremony and witnessing the return of the historic Folger family to the city,” Councilman Rob James said. “With Homecoming weekend right around the corner, it’s definitely something to get excited about.”
During the meeting, James revealed the Avon Lake Landmark Preservation Society, that operates the building, is in the holdover provision of its lease.
According to James, the city entered into a five-year agreement with the Preservation Society in 2008 to renovate and restore the Folger Home.
The property agreement offered the group four five-year extensions, but due to the Preservation Society’s failure to notify the city that it wanted to continue with the extensions, the lease went into a holdover status, leaving city officials to determine the structure’s next use.
Under the holdover provision, James said the Preservation Society may continue its work at The Folger Home on a month-to-month basis for up to six months.
“The administration and I have met with the Avon Lake Landmark Preservation Society and I think it would be fair to say that there are some issues to explore with that group,” James said. “The city needs to come up with a more definitive plan as to what the status of that property will be going forward. But until we come up with some clear ideas, it’s the recommendation of the administration that the Folger Home group continue to remain in that property for a period not to exceed six months.”
When the provision expires March 31, city officials will have to decide whether they want to extend the holdover provision another six months or move forward with new plans for the building.
Hoping to bring about a resolution to the issue quickly, Councilman Dan Bucci urged the mayor and fellow council members to do all they can to develop a plan for the home by the end of the holdover provision.
“I feel like we’re in a no mans land,” Bucci said. “I understand we need this six-month period to plan, but let’s do some planning in that time and not come back six months from now, only to give them another six months.”
James agreed with Bucci, but said he believes the best plan for the structure is going to come from city and Avon Lake Historic Preservation Commission officials working together.
“My instinct on this is that this is something that needs to be done simultaneous with Council and the Avon Lake Historic Preservation Commission working on its end to determine what it think the best possible use of that building might be, perhaps with public input,” James said. “Given the time frame, six months is not a long time.”
For more information about The Folger Home, visit www.folgerhome.org, or call 440-930-2190.

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Adriana is the courts and county reporter for Lorain County. She has a B.A. in Journalism and Promotional Communication from Cleveland State University. Reach the author at aadkins@morningjournal.com
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